Goalless draw but everything still to play for with four games left

IN what was a tight game on a windy afternoon in South Devon, the Robins picked up a point at the Circle of Care Community Stadium.  

There were a couple of changes from the side who picked up three points in a tough derby match at Melksham on Easter Monday, with Sam Meakes coming in for the injured Kane Simpson and Pierce Mitchell replacing Matt Wood in the starting lineup.  

Despite Exmouth’s lowly position in the division, they are among the top six in-form teams and proved to be tough, well-organised opponents. Neither side was able to take control of the match on a heavy pitch that was still a credit to the ground staff who worked so hard to get the game on.

The Robins cause was not helped when Jon Davies had to come off through injury after just 15 minutes, with Will Taylor replacing him.

The first clear chance of the half fell to Exmouth’s Ethan Slater whose 19th minute shot fizzed past the post. Kyle Phillips was called into action a few minutes later when he got his fingertips to a shot that bounced off the bar and was cleared.

Just a minute later, Zak Drew broke free on the right for the Robins’ first chance of the half, but his shot went wide. In the only other chance of the half Sam Meakes got his head to a cross from the left despite a strong challenge and the ball drifted just wide.

The second half was as tight and well contested as the first half, but Exmouth should have taken the lead when their forward was free in the box but delayed his shot which allowed the resolute Frome defence to clear the ball away.

The Robins’ first real chance of the second half came in the 59th minute when a neat layoff from Meakes allowed James Ollis clear to shoot but it was deflected wide. 

George Rigg came on for Alex Monks in the 60th minute and nearly made an impact with his first touch with a well struck shot from the edge of the box that just went wide. The final substitution for Frome came in the 69th minute when Matt Smith came on for Sam Heal. 

The wind increased in intensity for the last 20 minutes and Exmouth were finding it difficult to clear their lines and get the ball up the pitch and in the 79th minute the ball broke free to Ollis whose shot on goal was denied by a fine save from the Exmouth goalkeeper Chris Wright.

Despite the difficult conditions both sides remained committed. The excellent Frome defensive line restricted the Exmouth attack with their only clear opportunity coming just as the additional time board was shown but Kyle Phillips showed his powers of concentration by pushing a goal-bound shot to his right.

The Robins pushed hard for a late winner, but the Exmouth defence was equally resolute and despite two last-minute corners, the game finished goalless.

Given the current league position, it may be classed as points dropped, but any neutrals present would likely say that neither side deserved to lose.

With four games left there is still everything to play for, with the next game coming up on Friday 12th April at home to Bishops Cleeve Kick Off 7.45pm.

The support at Exmouth today was much appreciated. Let’s pack Badgers Hill this Friday!

Match report by David Parry.